A quick look at some of the richest women’s soccer players in the world. And realized the pay gap exists.
Who are the richest women's soccer players in the world-you ask? How much do female footballers make? Great questions and you’re in luck, because we put together a list of some of the richest women's soccer players in the world.
But let’s keep something in mind, the word ‘rich’ when used here is subjective — especially when we take a look at the richest male footballers in the world.
These women are rich compared to the Average Joe, but they’re severely underpaid when it comes to the professional sports world.
In the National Women’s Soccer League, the maximum salary for players not on the USWNT or Canada national team is $50,000 per year and the minimum is $20,000 per year. This alone would not make her one of the richest women's soccer players in the world.
In France, a female footballer playing on one of the top clubs will make on average 4,000 euros per month — which is 48,000 euros per year, or $53,000 USD.
England has similar pay standards; the top players will earn around £35,000 a year ($43,000 USD).
Many of the richest U.S. players make extra income by playing on the United States women’s national team and by receiving endorsements from major companies. These same scenarios are also true for European women’s soccer.
The USWNT base salary is about $100,000 per year. So yeah, these women are obviously super rich for pro ballers…
Here are, in no particular order, the richest women's soccer players in the world:
1. Alex Morgan
Let’s get the ball rolling on the richest women's soccer players in the world with America’s darling, Alex Morgan. Morgan — though she is currently sitting out of the game after having her first child — plays for the USWNT and the Orlando Pride in the NWSL.
Her base annual pay is around $450,000. But she actually makes closer to $1 million because of her endorsement deals with huge companies like Nike and Coca-Cola.
2. Megan Rapinoe
Next up on our list of richest women's soccer players in the world is Megan Rapinoe. Rapinoe is also a member of the USWNT team and in the regular season she plays for OL Reign in the NWSL.
She makes a similar salary to Morgan at around $447,000 per year, plus some endorsements by big companies that bump her salary closer to $1 million as well.
3. Ada Hegerberg
Ada Hegerberg is next on this list of the richest women's soccer players in the world. She plays on Norway’s national team and in the regular season she plays for Olympique Lyonnais. Hegerberg is the first female recipient of the Ballon d’Or Féminin.
Hegerberg made £343,000 per year (or $425,000 USD) before she signed a big-money deal with Nike in 2020. You’d think it would be more considering all of her amazing accolades and accomplishments but here we are.
3. Marta
Our list of the richest women's soccer players in the world continues with Marta. Marta plays for the Brazil national team and in the NWSL for Orlando Pride. She makes $400,000 a year.
Again, sigh.
4. Sam Kerr
Sam Kerr is an Australian football star. She plays for the Australian national team and in the regular season she plays for Chelsea. Being such a recognizable and talented player has rocketed her onto our list of the richest women's soccer players in the world. Her base pay is $500,000 a year.
She is set to become the first Australian female footballer to make $1 million as of 2020. This girl thinks she makes a ‘lucrative’ salary… Kinda crazy to call her salary lucrative when athletes like Ronaldo make $35 million dollars per year, but whatever.
5. Carli Lloyd
Carli Lloyd, being a veteran USWNT player and NWSL Sky Blue FC player, is another one of the richest women's soccer players in the world.
She makes $518,000 per year — and before you call that impressive, it’s 272 times LESS than what Messi made in 2019. So that’s awesome.
6. Jodie Taylor
Onward and upward on the list of the richest women's soccer players in the world is Jodie Taylor. Taylor plays for the England national team and for OL Reign in the NWSL. She makes £420,000 per year (or $522,000 USD).
7. Amandine Henry
Next up on the list of the richest women's soccer players in the world is Amandine Henry. Henry plays for the French national team and for Olympique Lyon in the regular season.
She brings in a salary of €360,000 per year, or $394,500 USD. Another one bites the dust unfortunately.
8. Wendie Renard
Another familiar face on this list of the richest women's soccer players in the world is Wendie Renard. Renard also plays for the French national team and Olympique Lyonnais in the regular season.
She makes a huge chunk of cash, at about €348,000 a year, or $392,000 a year.
9. Christine Sinclair
Last but not least on our list of the richest women's soccer players in the world is Canada’s sweetheart, Christine Sinclair. She plays for Canada’s national team and in the regular season she plays in the NWSL for Portland Thorns.
Wrapping up this list, she makes $380,000 a year. Once again, a huge let down for such a high profile and talented player.
Obviously salaries are going to vary between players and leagues. But it’s pretty disheartening to see such a huge difference between men’s and women’s pay.
Maybe we should change the name of this list from ‘richest women's soccer players in the world’ to ‘richest women's soccer players in the world compared to the Average Joe who doesn’t play a pro sport.’
I’m not mad, just disappointed.